Elysium cover

The cover of the new Pet Shop Boys album makes me think of perfume. Are they also releasing a new fragrance?

Speaking of covers, the Boys (fresh from performing at Wimbledon as pre-Olympic match entertainment) are about to release a cover of classic Bee Gees' track "I started a joke" as a B-side to "Winner."

Super manatees

Artwork by J Harris.

Niemeyer in 3D

2D versions of 3D photographs from a special edition book with various Oscar Niemeyer works.

Pet Shop Boys meets Roller Derby

The worst Pet Shop Boys video ever?

Story here.

Dark Knight

Finally Christopher Nolan is done sucking the fun out of Batman and infusing it with grandiose self-importance. A lot didn't make any sense and the editing was choppy, but at least you don't feel the 2 hours and 44 minutes go by.

Hot influence

''I think if you're English, and especially if you're from London, and you're an electronic musician, then [the Pet Shop Boys are] definitely going to have an influence and be an inspiration."

Hot Chip's Felix Martin

New George and Madonna

George Michael, thankfully back in the game (for the moment at least), makes another ultra-stilish video, this time employing his gal-pal druggy Kate Moss, in a long tradition of using supermodels in his videos.

Madonna is also up to her old tricks, recycling a video formula she's done a few too many times: the "drive around town and pick up random people to dance in her car" schtick. Now with Italian backgrounds on the greenscreen. 

Only in Brazil

O Globo published an article about how in the countryside of Rio, there are still 18,000 people who have been living without electricity for over 50 years. Candlelit dinners every night!

Z Boat

By Zaha Hadid for Kenny Schachter.

New favorite image

Winner is a loser

The PSB announced the new single for Elysium, which so far is a snorefest. After beautiful but barely moving Invisible, they came up with a synth ballad for the Olympic Games, which is as cheesy as it sounds.

Only in Brazil

While Pride attracts millions to the streets of Rio and São Paulo and Rio ranks among the most gay-friendly cities in the world, Brazil is a whole still got a long road ahead. Last week, in the state of Bahia, a man was stoned to death by a group of young men after leaving a party hugging another guy (who happened to be his twin brother.) Neither of the men were gay, but they crossed the cultural line of masculine affection in public.) Another young gay men was cruelly killed in the state of Rio and thrown in a river, right on Pride Day. Meanwhile, among the educated echelons of society, the “gay” is moving from joke-butt to must-have.

Omicron

Wroclaw, Poland, by the AntiVJ.